Sandwell’s votes on whether to take strike action for a better NJC pay offer were as follows:-
- 86% of UNISON members at Sandwell Children’s Trust voted to take action on a 37% turnout.
- 95% of UNISON members at Sandwell Leisure Trust voted to take action on a 43% turnout.
- 75% of UNISON members across Sandwell Council voted to take action on a 30% turnout.
Across England and Wales the average vote was almost 80% for action on a 29% turnout. Of the 4,093 employers balloted UNISON passed the 50% ballot threshold in 682.
Considering the votes, UNISON’s national NJC committee decided there was not enough support for action to place our employers under sufficient pressure to win a better pay deal and therefore voted to accept the offer of £1,290 (full-time employees or pro rata for part time) on all pay points or 2.5% from pay point 43.
The impact of the pay offer by Sandwell’s grades can be seen here NJC-2024-25-pay-offer-by-Sandwell-Grades-1.pdf (sandwellunison.co.uk)
The award has been accepted in time for it to be paid in Novembers salary, including the back pay element from 1 April.